Dear Friend,

Unless Congress acts soon, over 150,000 American troops and their families will face a major tax increase next year.

The reason is the "soldier tax," an obscure tax penalty that reduces the Earned Income Tax Credit for certain military families. Congress passed legislation in 2004 to temporarily suspend the soldier tax, but that bill is scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2008, exposing soldiers to a huge tax hike.

The exact increase will vary depending on each family's size and income, but in some cases, it could exceed $4,500 – a harsh financial blow to the soldiers on the frontlines of the war on terror.

Last month I introduced the Tax Relief for Armed Combat Families Act of 2007, a bill to permanently abolish the soldier tax. The legislation is now awaiting action in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I am working every day to urge my colleagues to pass this important bill.

As hundreds of thousands of troops risk life and limb in Iraq and Afghanistan, the last thing they need is to worry about paying higher taxes next year. Please know that I will do everything in my power to support immediate, permanent tax relief for our military families.

Sincerely,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress

P.S. To stay up-to-date on efforts to end the soldier tax and other breaking news from Washington, please click here to sign up for my weekly e-newsletter.


Your Views on Voter-Verified Paper Trails

Last month, I asked readers of this e-newsletter for your thoughts about requiring a voter-verified paper trail of all votes cast in federal elections. A paper trail would allow election workers to verify that all votes are counted accurately and completely, but upgrading voting machines to produce a paper trail might also impose significant costs on county governments.

According to the survey results, 40% of you support requiring a voter-verified paper trail only if the federal government helps counties afford new equipment, 46% believe Congress should mandate a paper trail whether or not funds are provided to the counties, 12% oppose a voter-verified paper trail, and 3% of you have a different perspective. I truly value your input and look forward to continuing to work in Congress to restore trust to the electoral process.


Casework Corner - Working to Reduce the Social Security Backlog

Imagine waking up one morning no longer able to work. Maybe you were injured in an accident, or perhaps you have developed a debilitating illness, but whatever it was, you are no longer able to go to work each day. Despite his or her initial patience, your employer eventually has to find someone that can work your shift, and lets you go. You’ve always been able to provide for your family, but you now find yourself unemployed and sinking deeper and deeper into debt. The medical bills eat up your savings, and leave nothing to pay your house payment, your heating bills, or keep the lights on.

Sadly, this scenario is more common than you might think. Because of this, Social Security provides financial assistance to people who have become disabled. Nearly 8.6 million people currently depend on Social Security Disability Insurance. Unfortunately for many who need these benefits, the wait to begin receiving them can be months or even years.

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Letter of the Week - Armenian Genocide Resolution

Turkey is an important ally for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. uses Incirlik Air Base for operations to deliver over half of the cargo flown into Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, Turkey’s diplomatic future is at an unprecedented crossroad. Turkey is the only majority-Islamic country in the Middle East that is a democracy. It is in our best interests to continue to support the democratic ideals that have been a hallmark of modern Turkey.

I sent a letter to the Speaker that bringing H. Res. 106 to the floor would be a step in the wrong direction for our national security. I will encourage my colleagues to do the same and to vote against the resolution should it come for a vote before the House of Representatives.

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This Week in Congress - 10/15 to 10/21

On Monday, the Kansas Solar Project House team visited the Capitol for an evening tour. Joining me were Dean English of the K-State School of Engineering and Dean Law of the Kansas School of Architecture; engineering students Rylan Ortiz and Brad Lutz; architecture students Adrienne Stolwyk, Aaron Vanderpool, Melody Jacobson, Jessica Williams, Clemente Jaquez-Herrera, Laura Wilke, Erin Wages, Sally Maddock, and Jonathan Anderson; interior architecture student Tim Sherman; and architecture faculty members Todd Gabbard and Larry Bowne.

On Tuesday, the House Armed Services Committee held a briefing on the current state of readiness of the Army’s deployed and non-deployed forces. Debbie Linnes and John Mentgen of St. John's Regional Medical Center visited the D.C. office to share their legislative ideas and concerns. Also visiting were Tauna Spain and Johnny Taylor of the Flint Hills Job Corps, Guy Bradford of American Eagle Outfitters, and David Lambertson of the KU-Fort Leavenworth program at the University of Kansas.

On Wednesday, I was pleased to welcome representatives of the Kansas Hospital Association to the D.C. office. Roger John of the Great Plains Health Alliance, Terry Lambert of the Newman Medical Center, John Jeter of the Hays Medical Center, Dick Allen and Tom Hintz of the Mercy Regional Health Center, and Tom Bell and Fred Lucky of the Kansas Hospital Association all dropped by.

On Thursday, the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture met to review structural changes in the agricultural economy and their impacts on the industry. Dana Peterson of the Kansas Wheat Growers stopped by my office to talk about agricultural policy, and Kimberly Larrick and Diane Daldrup of the March of Dimes also visited for a meeting.

On Friday, I caught an afternoon flight to Kansas City, where I attended an International Relations Council Dinner.

On Saturday, I had the privilege to speak with the 2nd District Veterans of Foreign Wars Meeting, as well as their Ladies' Auxiliary, in De Soto, Kansas.

On Sunday, Congressman Dennis Moore and I both visited the Lied Center at the University of Kansas to see Congressman John Lewis receive the Dole Leadership Prize. It was a moving awards presentation to honor the legislative work of a civil rights pioneer.